Ethiopia's Rift Valley is known to be one
of the biggest bird sanctuaries in Africa. Each of the seven lakes
has its own attractions, shelters different species of birds and many
wild animals. The Rift valley is also the habitat for a variety of
flora and fauna.

The Addis Ababa southern road leads you to Debre-Zeit, an exotic
small town with spectacular crater lakes. Proceed to Lake Ziway,the
first of the rift valley Lakes. Continue to Lake Langano for lunch.
After lunch proceed to Lake Abijatta and Shala National Park for
bird watching. Continuing your drive you'll arrive in Awassa where
you will spend the night. Before starting your Journey back to Addis
Ababa visit Lake Awassa and its fish market and observe different
species of birds.

OMO,
THE UNIQUE WILDERNESSThe Omo Valley is located in the remote south-west of
Ethiopia. The area is rich in anthropological remains and archaeological
findings. The Mago Park and the Omo National Park which are among
the richest parks of the country are found in this region. The Omo
valley is also home of mostly nomadic and semi-nomadic people like
the Hamer, Borena, Nyangatom, Tsemay, Dasanech, Mursi and Karo who
wander with their spears, head rests and cattle. There are more
than a dozen different fascinating ethnic groups. Although most
of them lead a simple pastoral life, they have rich traditions and
colorful rituals. Their jewelry,
body paintings, scarification and hairstyles are unique and fascinating.
Explore the wild South with one of our expedition tours.Top

BaleThe Bale Mountains National Park is more than 4000 meters of
an untouched beautiful world. This spectacular park is situated
400 kilometers from Addis Ababa; 150 Kilometers from Shashamane;
310 Kilometers from Nazareth; and 175 Kilometers from Awassa.

Bale Mountains National Park was created originally in 1971 as a
protection to the then dwindling numbers of mountain Nyala.
It is 2470 square kilometers of alpine plateau, forest and woodland,
and boasts the highest all-weather road in Africa, going over 4000
meters. The highest peak in southern Ethiopia, Tullu Deemtu at 4377
meters, is within the park.

There is a main road running through the length of the park, and
a few other tracks. A most enjoyable and peaceful way to see the
area is on horseback. Local ponies and saddles may be hired either
for day trips around Dinsho or for more ambitious camping trips
up in the mountains.

The highland plateaux is home to many endemic species. Bale Mountains
National Park harbours sixteen of Ethiopia's 25 endemic bird species.
There are over 200 species recorded for the park so far.

Sof Omar

Sof Omar, a tiny Muslim village in Bale, is the site of an amazing
complex of natural caves, cut by the Weyb River as it finds its
way into the nearby mountains. The settlement, which is a religious
site, is named after a local Sheikh.

Visitors to Sof Omar make their way, armed with torches and official
underground map, far into the bowels of the earth. Besides a subterranean
stream, one can see an extraordinary number of arched portals, high
eroded ceilings and deep echoing chambers.

Some 35 percent of the Ethiopian population is Muslim. Nearly half
the population is Christian, belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church, whose 4th Century beginnings came long before Europe accepted
Christianity. A further small percentage of the population adheres
to traditional and other beliefs, including Judaism.Top

The Awash River falls enclosed within the 850 Km square area of the
Awash National Park. The falls is an additional value and factor that
makes the Awash river the most loved river in Ethiopia. The Honest
Awash river, as it is mostly referred to, starts and ends in Ethiopia.
The Awash river waters most of the arid parts of the country and finally
sinks into the sand. Not far from the Keruou Lodge some steps down
in to the river gorge, one comes to a spot least developed but quiet,
close and directly in front of the Awash River Falls. The wonderful
scenery can keep anybody focused for hours and end. Top

The Rift Valley Lakes stretch across the middle of Ethiopia. From
north east to the south west and down to Lake Turkana. About seven
different sizes of lakes with Awash gorge extending the folding, up
north forms the famous Rift Valley Depression. Ziway, Langano Abijatta,
Shalla, Awassa, Abaya and Chamo are the big ones. There are however
smaller lakes up north and still some scattered in the central southeastern
regions as well.

The great lion - the black lion is a representation one finds on
all the past and present currencies of Ethiopia. It has a historic
representation. Like in the Lion of Judah, countless numbers of
Ethiopian stamps carry the head of a lion at one corner.
The Arat Kilo Obelisk Statue of Freedom has the emblem of the Lion
of Judah at the top of it. The Addis-Djibouti railway station head
office has the emblem of the lion at the center of the square.
There is a famous stone figure of a lion in the centre of the town,
near the national theater.